Psalm 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD has said to me, You are my Son; this day have I begotten you. There is nothing in the economy of life and civilisation that is haphazard. Before all things and round about them as a glory and defence is the Lord's "decree." Under all disorder is law. The law is first beneficent, and then retributive. It is beneficent because it contemplates the recovery and sanctification of the heathen and the uttermost parts of the earth. It is retributive because if this offer of enclosure and honour is rejected, those who despise it shall be broken with a rod of iron, and dashed to pieces like a potter's vessel. In the study of the world's constitution and movement, look first of all at the Lord's "decree," the Lord's idea and purpose. Settle it that the decree is good, merciful, redemptive, and then judge everything in the light of that fact. If you were judging of a national constitution you would not pronounce it bad became of its prisons; you would, on the contrary, pronounce it good for that very reason. You would know that there was a strong authority in that land, and that the authority was good, because it imprisoned and rebuked the workers of evil. So the rod of iron attests the holiness of God, and hell itself shows that virtue is honoured of heaven. (Joseph Parker, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.WEB: I will tell of the decree. Yahweh said to me, "You are my son. Today I have become your father. |
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